The work to repair the damaged roof of the Plemetin/Plemetina social housing building, home to 180 Roma and Ashkali community members, concluded on 29 January 2018. The repair was made possible with financial support from Caritas Luxembourg, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the Embassy of Luxembourg and the municipality of Obiliq/Obilić.

Residents of the six-floor building have been exposed to rainy and cold weather conditions since early September 2017 following damage to the roof caused by two fire incidents and strong winds.

In an effort to find a solution to this humanitarian issue, the OSCE Mission organized an urgent meeting with embassies, donors and the Obiliq/Obilić municipality on 18 October 2017. Prior to the meeting the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, visited the building and saw the extent of the destruction.

“I am relieved to see that the roof has been repaired. The building’s residents, the majority of them unemployed, were living in miserable conditions. In the coming weeks, we will organize a follow-up meeting to address other damage to the building caused by the water leakage and humidity, such as problems with sewage, water and electricity,” Braathu said.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with promoting human rights, community rights, democratization and public safety sector development. Through tailor-made initiatives and projects, the Mission aims to improve the position of communities in society.